In Tamura Yoshirō’s description of Shinran, it is evident how the idea of nonduality has influenced Shinran’s idolization of the Pure Land teachings. His approach to Pure Land Buddhism was impacted by Honen, who introduced him to the practice of Pure Land nembutsu but was mainly composed with his beliefs, such that “within human existence there is an ideal realm of enlightenment” (Yoshirō, 99). Yoshirō describes Shinran’s notion of Pure Land teachings as being capable of “affirming empirical reality.” This is quite confusing when considering the meaning of the word “empirical” and the postmortem goals pursued by Pure Land Buddhism. Pure Land Buddhism’s main goal is liberation from the other power, Amida. This is mentioned in the Tannish ō, as it goes on to describe rebirth in the Pure Land and postmortem destiny. Although both express absolute monism in which the cycle of life and death is one, they both challenge the idea of “empirical reality.” The word “empirical”
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Yoshirō observes that Shinran believed enlightenment could be achieved by following the Pure Land teachings and expressing the words of the nembutsu, Good or evil, “deliverance by Amida” was attainable as long as there was a moment of faith. Shinran’s accusations in the Tannish ō is contradictory to this claim. He steers away from the power of faith and begins speaking of the destiny of one’s self. Nonduality focuses on the understanding that you, your self, are a part of the cycle, or samsara and nirvana, as an entity. Shinran’s claim in the Tannish ō suggest that his strong faith does not entitle him to rebirth in the Pure Life but might lead him to the lowest hells. His uncertainty confuses Yoshirō’s observation that rebirth in the Pure Lands is attainable through a moment of faith and even questions the role of the
Yoshirō observes that Shinran believed enlightenment could be achieved by following the Pure Land teachings and expressing the words of the nembutsu, Good or evil, “deliverance by Amida” was attainable as long as there was a moment of faith. Shinran’s accusations in the Tannish ō is contradictory to this claim. He steers away from the power of faith and begins speaking of the destiny of one’s self. Nonduality focuses on the understanding that you, your self, are a part of the cycle, or samsara and nirvana, as an entity. Shinran’s claim in the Tannish ō suggest that his strong faith does not entitle him to rebirth in the Pure Life but might lead him to the lowest hells. His uncertainty confuses Yoshirō’s observation that rebirth in the Pure Lands is attainable through a moment of faith and even questions the role of the